Manually operated target projector



United States Patent Inventor Nicholas A. Esser 5l05-A Jamieson, St. Louis, Missouri 63109 Appl. No. 753,249

Filed Aug. 16, 1968 Patented Sept. 22, 1970 MANUALLY OPERATED TARGET PROJECTOR 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 124/5, 124/41 Int. Cl F4lb 3/04 Field of Search 124/5, 6, 7, 8, 9,41,42,43

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 302,094 7 1884 Briggs 124/41x 2,681,055 6/1954 Gowland. 124/12 FOREIGN PATENTS 383,408 10/1923 Germany 124 7 Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Assistant Examiner-William R Browne ABSTRACT: A propelling device for empty tin cans which are to be used as air borne targets in skeet shooting comprising a tubular barrel upon a flexible metal spring having a flexible stop at one end of the barrel, the flexible spring being secured pivotally to one end of a long handle.

MANUALLY OPERATED TARGET PROJECTOR This invention relates generally to propulsion devices for skeet shooting.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved propulsion device for discharging empty tin cans into the air so that they may serve as targets during rifle practice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved propulsion device which is capable of throwing a can to approximately 45 yards of distance away.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved propulsion device for empty cans which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the present invention; and

F IG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a skeet can trap or thrower according to the present invention wherein there is a cylindrical tube ll rigidly mounted upon a flexible spring metal band 12 by means of a weld, rivets or other means. The cylindrical tube is made preferably of aluminum or other equivalent metal.

One end of the spring metal band is upwardly turned at a bend 13 so to extend approximately 45, the terminal end of the band forming a stop 14. The opposite end of the band 12 has an opening therethrough for receiving a bolt 15, the bolt 15 extending through an opening 16 in one end of a longitudinal wooden or metal handle 17, and the opposite end of the bolt 15 receiving a nut 18. It will thus be evident that the single bolt allows pivotal movement of the metal band 12 respective to the handle 17.

The opposite end of the handle 17 is provided with an enlarged head 19 so as to insure a firm grip of a persons hands upon the handle and prevent the handle from slipping out of the person's hand upon a strong pivotal movement.

ln operative use, an empty can which may comprise either a beer can, soda can or any other can of metal is placed within the opening 20 of the aluminum tube 11, the can being placed in the rear end thereof adjacent the stop 14. As the persons arm grasped upon the handle 17 is swung back for in throwing position, the unit holding the can is pivoted back against the handle in a jack-knife manner, and then as the arm is brought forward, the pivoting about the bolt 15 will create a great momentum force of the can within the tube, thereby forcing the stop 14 to be depressed out of the way and thus allow the can to fly out of the opening in the opposite end of the tube. The projected can will thus fly forwardly under great force and will accordingly be able to be thrown a relatively great distance whereby the same may be used as a target for skeet shooting.

It is to be noted that the handle is provided with a shoulder extending transversely thereacross and against which a side edge of the invention l2 abuts so to limit the pivotal travel of the band respective to the handle. While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claim.

1. In a manually operated target projector, the combination of a barrel mounted upon a spring band, said spring band being pivotly secured to an elongated handle, said barrel comprising a cylindrical tube of aluminum, said tube having a central opening extending therethrough, said band comprising a spring metal member of flat configuration, one end of said band being turned upwardly into the plane of the opening of said barrel, and the opposite end of said band having a singular opening therethrough for receiving a bolt about which said band may be pivoted, said bolt extending through an opening in one end of an elongated handle, the opposite end of said handle having an enlarged head so to prevent said handle 

